Press Release September 21, 2001 Mayor Announces Economic Growth Initiatives and Rallies Business Leaders After September 11 Attacks (Washington, DC) Mayor Anthony A. Williams met business, labor, government, university, association and union leaders to discuss the potential impacts of last Tuesday's terrorist attacks on the District's economy, and identify ways to stave off those impacts. "We've come together today—business, labor, government, universities, associations and unions—to send a very clear message to our country: We're proud of our city. We're proud of what we've accomplished. And we will not allow years of economic progress to be derailed by the heinous acts of faceless cowards," commented Mayor Williams. "It's going to take some time to build up to speed again. But Washington, DC is open for business." Immediate Steps for Recovery During a closed-door meeting, the Mayor announced a series of initiatives designed to spur the District's economy: Task Forces. On Monday, the Mayor will sign a Mayor's Order to create a series of task forces. The goals of these groups is three-fold: to quantify any potential impacts as a result of the terrorist attacks, recommend possible measures to counteract those effects, and to develop a communications strategy to discuss these measures with the public and private sector. There will be five working groups to address tourism, commercial and residential development, small businesses, transportation, and economic impact and consumer confidence. Tourism Bill. On Monday, the Mayor will be sending to the Council a $1 million package to promote tourism and investment in the District. "I'm also pleased to announce that Bill Hanbury, President of the Washington Convention and Tourism Corporation, will be making a similar investment bringing our immediate efforts to $2 million," commented the Mayor. Federal Aid. Finally, the Williams administration will be asking President Bush for a federal aid package to compensate for the loss to our city's economy. We'll be asking for targeted assistance, to help the economic sectors most affected by the impact of last Tuesday's attacks. Reopening National Airport During the meeting and the following press conference, the Mayor also stressed the essential need for reopening National Airport. "Every other airport in the United States is open," said the Mayor. "If National Airport is the world's door to our city, with National closed, our city is shut down…If the Nation's Capital is closed—what does that say about the confidence and strength of our nation?"